Kid-Requested Healthy Banana Muffins (20 minutes)
These healthy banana muffins are soft, moist, naturally sweetened, and maybe most importantly, super easy to make! With just a few minutes of prep time and less than 20 minutes, your entire family will enjoy these fluffy muffins!

Healthy Banana Muffins
Are you looking for a muffin recipe that you will be making on repeat for, let’s say, the next 5 years of your life?
Then, I’ve got you!
I have my fourth batch of these muffins in the oven right now because my kids are OBSESSED with them! We have been making them for years, but with school just starting up again, it’s time to get back on our muffin game.
I like to have my kids help make these muffins – my oldest loves to mash the bananas into the biggest mess possible, while my youngest likes to meticulously measure and pour all of the other ingredients. If this doesn’t sum up siblings, than I don’t know what does. I like to direct the entire operation while sipping my coffee. We are all leaning into our strengths, lol!
These healthy banana muffins are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and bananas (of course!) and are super yummy and soft. They are great for babies, toddlers, kids, and even adult-friendly. They come together quickly, which is perfect for busy weekends when you need to meal prep but don’t have ALL DAY. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly and easily adjustable to make gluten—or dairy-free.
We usually add a selection of toppings—chocolate chips, pecans, and sprinkles, to name a few—and I really let my kids control this aspect of the project while I make myself another cup of coffee.
Banana Muffin Video
Welcome to my Kitchen, let’s get baking!
Best Way to Mash Bananas
One of the easiest ways to mash bananas is to simply peel and toss the peeled, ripe, bananas into a medium mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher until you reach a desired consistency. If you don’t have a potato masher, the next best option is to mash bananas with a fork.
Toppings
Although these healthy banana muffins are completely delicious as is, feel free to experiment and mix in a few toppings. Toddlers and older kids love to help with sprinkling on their own toppings before baking!
- chopped walnuts
- chopped pecans
- chocolate chips
- white chocolate chips
- chopped strawberries
- blueberries
Get the recipe: Kid-Requested Healthy Banana Muffins (20 minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup flour, all-purpose, white whole wheat, 50/50 white and whole wheat, or a gluten-free blend
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup mashed bananas from 2-3 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup melted butter or oil, avocado oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray or line a muffin tin.
- Whisk: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Stir: In a large bowl, stir together the mashed banana, maple syrup, butter/oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine: pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fill Muffin Tin: Scoop the batter into the muffin tin 3/4 of the way full. Add any toppings, if using.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin into the oven, and bake for 18-20 minutes or until just golden brown.
- Eat: Let cool for 5-10 minutes, and serve.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @babyfoode on Instagram and hashtag it #babyfoode!
Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
24 Comments on “Kid-Requested Healthy Banana Muffins (20 minutes)”
Baby and parents loved these! This will be my go to recipe for banana muffins moving forward since they are the perfect sweetness and the whole wheat flour gives more flavor.
This is also the first time we’ve ever made muffins and they fit perfectly in the muffin tin and baked with the time provided. Super easy and delicious! We added a half cup of chocolate chips and used honey since we didn’t have maple syrup.
Hi Amber! Thanks for sharing your additions and substitutions. So happy that both baby and parents can enjoy these muffins. 😉 xo, Michele
You’re welcome! I should mention for anyone reading that our son is over 1 year old and honey shouldn’t be used until 1 year old!
I baked 12 minis for my 10 month old and I ate 4 within 10 mins. It was so good. I didn’t put the maple syrup but it was still very sweet. I also used oats as flour. Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe.
Hi Krish! That’s fantastic that you can enjoy them along with your little one! xo, Michele
I love these and so does my daughter! She is almost 1 and we do these for breakfast or snacks. I love putting other fruit in them with the bananas. So far, we’ve tried strawberries, black raspberries from our back yard and blueberries! So good!
These muffins were great and easy to make! I substituted in brown coconut sugar for maple syrup, gluten free 1 to 1 flour, and apple sauce for oil/butter. They turned out great! I’ll definitely be making these again!
Hi Holly! I’m sure others will find your substitutions and success super helpful. I appreciate you sharing so much! xo, Michele
LOVED these muffins. My 4 year old helped me make them which is a bonus that they are so simple. He and his 18 month old sister then LOVED eating them. I only had one banana but it totally still worked. The batter was a bit thicker as I used oat flour but then we added one more egg and it seemed to be good.
I made these about an hr ago and even though my toddler had just had dinner and a yoghurt he still ate a muffin on top so I think he approves😋 (I haven’t tried it yet but smells lovely!). I followed your recipe and then added blueberries to 6 and then chia seeds to the other 6. My son chose a blueberry one lol.
I’m just wondering, can I add grated apple to these muffins? Would it change anything in regards to the quantities of everything used?
Thanks for this recipe!
Hi Shaynie! I haven’t tried it but if you do add some shredded apple to the recipe, I would ring out any extra moisture from the apple by putting it in cheesecloth. Let me know how it turns out! xo, Michele
What is the quantity needed of flour, honey, oil. I don’t see it listed. Thanks
Hit the Jump to Recipe button at the top of every post. That will take you to the recipe card at the bottom of every post with the full recipe details.
Great recipe—easy to make and delicious to eat.
Thanks so much, Linda! xo
I made this. Easy to make. Everyone liked it.
That’s great! Thanks Sarah!
Where does the baking powder come in?
Hi J! Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. The recipe is updated! =)
Can I use stevia instead of maple syrup? Don’t want to give my baby sweets
Instead of Stevia, I would recommend substituting no-sugar added applesauce instead of the maple syrup in these muffins.
Absolutely delicious, my 16 month old loves them and so do I. We put some blueberries and raspberries on top too.
Thanks. Made my muffin today. Really delicious. I like the fact that ufs not too sugary. I used brown sugar instead of maple syrup . It really came out well and also used 1/2 wheat and 1/2 all purpose flour. Thanks again for this lovely recipe
So happy to hear that you loving these banana muffins! Love your substitution of brown sugar and the mix of flours! YUM!